Pernille Ripp

I am a passionate teacher in Oregon, Wisconsin, USA, who has taught 4th, 5th, and 7th grade. Proud techy geek, and mass consumer of incredible books. Creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, Co-founder of EdCamp MadWI, and believer in all children. I have no awards or accolades except for the lightbulbs that go off in my students’ heads every day. First book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students” can be purchased now. Second book“Empowered Schools, Empowered Students – Creating Connected and Invested Learners” is out now from Corwin Press. Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.

“..but this is what I teach my college students…” My mother, who is an English professor, is looking at the new 5th grade common core standards. I shake my head, sigh, and realize that I now have another mountain to climb when it comes to making school relevant, engaging, and exciting for students. I … Continue reading →

Cross posted from my blog, Blogging Through the Fourth Dimension An interesting debate has been sparked in the comments section of my post “Not Grading is Awful” here on the Cooperative Catalyst, with some people stating that forced school is inhumane. I have been pondering this for a bit and I must say I disagree; having an educational … Continue reading →

Cross posted from my own blog; Blogging Through the Fourth Dimension. I am just going to admit it; not grading sucks! Not grading means I cannot assign an average, translate it into a grade and be done. Not grading means I have to have anecdotal evidence to back up my final grade on the report card, … Continue reading →

“Mommy, mommy help….” Thea is hiding in the house and has managed to get herself stuck. I free her and off she runs; things to do, mommy, things to do. I look at my little girl, the picture of energy, rambunctiousness, and vitality and I wonder what will school do to her? At her daycare … Continue reading →

Aah Christmas break, or winter break, as we call it in my district so as not to offend anyone with our secularism. The students eagerly awaiting when I would drop the bomb; the homework bomb. How much would I require to make them do during their break, what projects would they have to cram in … Continue reading →

“Mommy!!! BUG!!!” Thea screams at me as we walk around our deck. “Lookit mommy, bug,” she runs to me grabs my hand and pulls me near. Behold; the lifelong learner. Children are naturally curious; if you give them a box they are not allowed to open, they will beg and beg until they finally get … Continue reading →

I posted this Saturday on my blog and was astounded by the level of dialogue it created. Therefore it is time to open it up to the Coop. Even in the staunchest of schools, teachers celebrate their students. Whether it is through formal rewards, which I am not a fan of, or informal recognition, which is more … Continue reading →

cross posted from my blog Blogging Through the Fourth Dimension It appears that technology is sweeping the nation as the answer to the “broken” education system in America. Everywhere you turn school districts are touting their Interactive Whiteboards, their iPads, their one to one systems and anything else tech related. Since I am techie myself, … Continue reading →

Image taken from here As the recession rolls on and the politicians gear up for another fight on this new super committee, I drive back and forth to school getting ready for a new school year. One politician was discussing what could be cut save our country from the brink of bankruptcy and discussed Medicaid, a … Continue reading →

I never saw a multiple choice test until I decided to become a teacher in America. Having gone through the Danish school system, of course, there were tests but they happened at the end of the year and were written and oral exams, not just fill in the bubble and the machine will take care … Continue reading →

Cross posted from my blog Time and time again I hear the statement, “I do it for the children…” or “It’s all about the children.” Politicians, the general public, and yes many educator if not all at some point utter something similar. I hear it from teachers before I hear any educational philosophy or methodology, … Continue reading →

As the school year ends and we ponder whether we have been the best teachers we possible could be by looking at test results, I wonder, what are we missing? Are these results the only marker of whether a child has been successful this year? Are tests, homework grades, attendance and all the other quantifiables … Continue reading →

This year I took the ultimate risk; I asked my students what they wanted to learn about. The first time I did this, I was met with averted eyes and mumblings. One student even asked me if this was a trick question? After much reassurance, after all, these kids know that adults usually use their … Continue reading →

I do my best teaching while I dream. Far away from my own cowardice that tells me to stick within the lines, follow the lesson plan, and to not deviate off the trodden path. I do my best teaching right before sleep comes and envelopes me, right before the stress of the day falls away, … Continue reading →